Millwall left in limbo as Jackett slips off after six seasons... and joins Wolves shortlist

Kenny Jackett resigned as Millwall manager after nearly six years at the club.

The 51-year-old was the sixth-longest serving manager in English football but has left the Championship side to pursue a ‘new challenge’.

Defender Alan Dunne called the move ‘devastating’, but Millwall accepted Jackett’s decision ‘with reluctance’ after failing to persuade him to change his mind over the weekend.

The club will now ‘take its time’ before appointing his successor, with former Bolton boss Owen Coyle and MK Dons manager Karl Robinson in the frame.

Time to go: Millwall manager Kenny Jackett has resigned

Jackett is now among the contenders for the Wolves job after Dean Saunders was sacked earlier in the day.

He took over at Millwall in November 2007, achieved promotion to the Championship in 2010 and led the club to Wembley on three occasions.

Millwall’s most recent visit to Wembley – their 2-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat by Wigan last month – was marred by serious violence among supporters but it is not thought the trouble was a significant factor in Jackett's decision to quit. The prospect of a limited budget for next season, however, provided more cause for concern.

Jackett said in a statement on the club’s website: ‘I personally feel the time is right for a new challenge, and also for a new manager to come into Millwall with fresh ideas, to take the club forward towards its long term goal of reaching the Premier League. ‘

Long-serving: Jackett had been at The Den for six seasons, making his the fifth longest-serving manager in the Football League

'After almost six seasons I personally
feel the time is right for a new challenge, and also for a new manager
to come into Millwall with fresh ideas, to take the club forward towards
its long term goal of reaching the Premier League.

'I would like to thank the chairman,
the Board of Directors, players, members of staff and supporters of
Millwall for their considerable backing.

'I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Millwall. My family and I will always have a strong link and affinity with the club.'

Safe: Millwall stayed up despite losing 1-0 to Derby County on the final day

Lions chairman John Berylson added:
'On behalf of the Board of Millwall Football Club, I want to express my
thanks to Kenny for his fantastic service and achievements over the past
five and a half years.

'He has played a major role in creating a stable environment at Millwall which hadn’t been the case prior to his arrival.

'On a personal level, whilst
respecting Kenny’s decision, I wish I could have persuaded him to change
his mind. He was my first acquisition as chairman of the club and has
proved himself to be one of the best. I am losing a great manager but he
will remain a good friend and hopefully, golf partner.

'I know everyone associated with
Millwall, management, staff, players and fans, will wish Kenny all the
very best with his future endeavours, except for those times when he
might oppose us on the pitch.

'We are now determined to move the club forward and build on the foundations Kenny has provided towards even greater success.'

LONGEST-SERVING MANAGERS

Before Jackett's resignation

Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United) - 26 years, 182 days

Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) - 16 years, 218 days

David Moyes (Everton) - 11 years, 54 days

Tony Pulis (Stoke City) - 6 years, 327 days

Paul Tisdale (Exeter City) - 6 years, 315 days

Kenny Jackett (Millwall) - 5 years, 185 daysJackett was reserve team manager of Manchester City when interviewed for the vacant Millwall managerial post following the sacking of Willie Donachie.

Jackett was reserve team manager of Manchester City when interviewed for the vacant Millwall managerial post following the sacking of Willie Donachie.

Having originally ruled himself out of the running, Jackett eventually left City take up the position.

In the 2008-2009 season, he led Millwall to the League One play-off final, beating Leeds United in the semi-finals, but despite leading 2-1 in the final against Scunthorpe at Wembley, they would end up losing 3-2.

However, a goal from Paul Robinson earned them a place in the Championship in another play-off final, this time against Swindon, the following year.

A ninth place finish was an excellent achievement in their first year back in the second tier, but the two subsequent seasons have been brushes with relegation.

Millwall only survived in the Championship on the final day of this season, and his final record at the south London club read: Played 307 Won 130 Drawn 74 Lost 103.